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Half
Hour Modeling Project |
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Reviewed By Clarence E. Wentzel, #11478 |
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Many IPMS members often overlook the Revell line of SnapTite kits. Maybe we think that they are too simple or they may not be too accurate. Let me try to convince you otherwise. From my standpoint, they are simple, yes, but they easily build into some very nice display models. With a little extra modeling efforts they can be excellent.
The subject of this review is the ’63 Corvette Convertible, one of the GM Classics. I was curious how long it would take me to produce a nice looking display model so I started the stop watch as I worked. I generally took my time, sanded the sprue separation joints and had to fiddle with the model a couple of times. The end result took less than a half-hour. |
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Click image to view full-size photo |
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Getting started. Photo one shows all the parts laid out ready to start. The body is sealed in it’s own plastic bag to prevent scratches etc. as is the windshield and the chrome plated parts. I used sprue cutters to remove the parts from the sprue and then used sanding sticks as necessary to clean up the joints. The hobby knife is there for fine trimming and gentle reaming.
The interior is assembled first. After five minutes, I had the seats assembled and installed in the interior along with the door trim panels. Nothing tricky thus far. After seven and a half minutes, the interior tub was completed. See Photo two. The only tricky fit was the shifter. The bottom of the part mounts crosswise in the model, fitting into the underside of the transmission tunnel. The photo is not clear on this step.
Body preparation. Next the lights and bumpers are fitted onto the body. Use care in handling the body. The finish as it comes from Revell is perfect. I laid the body on a tissue to to avoid fingerprints and scratches. The front turn signal lamps were hard to install. I had to ream the holes in the body slightly to get them to fit. The chrome plating makes the parts larger and tougher, so use care. Likewise the tail light strip did not fit into the taillight housing easily. I ended up reaming the holes in the housing to get the lamps to fit into place. The front bumpers installed easily while the rear ones took a little wiggling to get the pins to fit into the holes in the tail light housing. This holds all of the rear end parts together and is important. Photo three shows the model at the fifteen-minute stage. |
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Click image to view full-size photo |
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Step twelve was simple. The chrome wheels fit into groves in the tires to form nice looking assemblies. The fitting of the chassis onto the body was the trickiest step, although it was easy once I figured out how Revell had engineered the kit. The directions simply show two screws to be installed. The reality is that there is a tab that extends from the back of the chassis and a slot in the tail light housing. When the tab is installed into the slot and the rocker panels of the body opened slightly, everything aligns perfectly and the screws can be installed. The final steps were the installation of the rocker panel moldings, the gas cap and the rear license plate. Elapsed time was twenty-five minutes and the final result is shown in photo four.
Revell provide an optional list of paint but do not say what has to be painted. I will paint the front turn signals amber and will probably apply a wash to the front grille, the wheels and the rocker panel moldings to bring out the detail. The sunshades should be painted the color of the interior and silver will be used to pick out the wiper arms, door handles, top latches and a number of interior items. These steps will be done when I get around to them to further improve the model. In the meantime, the model can go on the display shelf as it is. Revell provided some nice flame stickers that the kids will like but I wanted the model to be production for my display.
Final opinion. These are well-engineered kits that anyone can complete during a lazy afternoon. Serious modelers can use them get over a case of AMS (Advanced Modelers Syndrome) while younger and less experienced modelers will be able to produce very nice model for their effort. Similar kits have been used with Make ‘n Take programs very effectively. Some photos from the 2002 Kalamazoo contest Make ‘n Take program are shown at: http://www.geocities.com/cewentzel/Make_n_Take.html This kit is well recommended.
A big thanks to Revell for providing this kit to the Reviewer Corps and reminding us that modeling can be as easy as we want to make it. |
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Information, images, and all other items placed electronically on this site are the intellectual property of IPMS/USA ®. |
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